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An Update on Operations
Our Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Recognizing the Strength and Dedication of the Teams at CarePlus
Despite the uncertainty and challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff at CarePlus have not only risen to the occasion, but have also surpassed expectations of what would be possible. With a quick pivot to adhere to public health recommendations and safety precautions, we were able to continue to provide services remotely, as well as continuing on-site medication support, emergency services, 24/7 programs, residential services and outreach services in the community.
In order to achieve all of this, many of our teams were trained with new technology and software to leverage our telehealth and remote services. This transformation of workflow included an emphasis on administrative support, for enhanced customer service and experience. It's important to honor our frontline workers who have provided essential services throughout the pandemic.
How We are Maintaining Safety for In-Person Services
After months of limited on-site operations, we extended back to our original hours of operation to accommodate programs that require face-to-face interactions, but we continue to adhere to state guidelines. This includes limited participation within our Partial Care Program and Intensive Outpatient Program. Our staff has maintained connection with participants in these programs, but we have noticed barriers to telehealth service delivery. This includes limited access to technology and internet, as well as obstacles to privacy practices in the home or community.
Procedures were put in place to prepare for this increase in on-site operations: temperature and symptom check, staff and visitor sign in, restricted entrances, adhering to social distancing protocols, increased sanitation services, and provision of necessary personal protective equipment.
Innovative Programs Developed to Respond to Community Needs
The pandemic struck as CarePlus was developing multiple grant funded programs, including the CCBHC expansion of mental health and addiction services, community training programs, and supported employment services. As part of the CARES Act, we received funding for innovative programs designed to increase and ease access to care, especially for vulnerable and at-risk communities. This positioned our teams to not only respond to the needs of individuals and families, but also provide specialty support for school professionals, law enforcement, and healthcare professionals.
A variety of CarePlus programs demonstrated their necessity throughout the pandemic:
- The development of the HERO Warmline created a streamlined access to mental health care for frontline workers.
- A partnership with Inserra Supermarkets placed our staff in grocery stores to support employees in the thick of the pandemic.
- Grief and Bereavement groups evolved to address specific COVID-related grief.
- Our Work Incentive Services quickly noted racial and ethnic disparities in the impact of the pandemic, and provided essential support for those facing unemployment.
- The launch of the Maternal & Family Center has opened the door for families in all stages of pregnancy to access much needed support and expertise.
With a technology grant from the Federal Communications Commission, we have also been able to address a major social determinant to health - the fact that socioeconomic status can act as a barrier to care. With the technology grant, we have been able to distribute devices throughout the community to provide the tools needed for telehealth support, while also investing in resources to enhance the technology infrastructure.
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Bergen mental health providers receive grant to aid
essential workers, domestic violence victims
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The aim of the Cultural Diversity Committee at Care Plus NJ is to build a culture of equity, inclusion and respect with our employees and community we serve. We seek to actively foster an environment of cultural competency though staff and community education. We seek to promote social justice through education and advocacy.
As a behavioral health and social service provider, we realize we cannot continue with business as usual without acknowledging race and culture. CarePlus has taken the initiative to listen, learn, and grow. We have started a weekly Cultural Diversity Support Group for our staff, which allows for open discussion on these topics in the workplace. The support group was designed for our colleagues to connect, share, grieve, and grow together. We will continue to share insights from our experience of addressing diversity, equity and inclusion through our additional subcommittees, including: Corporate Policy, Advocacy and Communications, Staff Development, and Community Outreach.
CarePlus leadership and committee members are actively attending webinars to learn more about how we can improve as an organization, which includes the competitive opportunity for a CarePlus Team to participate in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network's Summit Initiative, "Being Anti-Racist is Central to Trauma-Informed Care: From Awareness to Action". We have surveyed our entire staff to open up the conversation, assess experiences of racism and discrimination, and invite feedback on how we can continue to embed cultural competence into our company culture. Having dedicated ourselves to this mission over the last three months, we are proud of what we have accomplished and look forward to continuing our progress.
We are grateful to our staff for taking the initiative to open up this conversation, and we know that we are just at the beginning with this very important work.
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CarePlus opens new maternal mental health
treatment center in Paramus
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New Medical Leadership Team at CarePlus NJ
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel Finch, MD, PMH-C, to the role of Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Finch will oversee CarePlus' medical leadership team, which has recently been enhanced with the addition of Jerry Joseph, MD, in the role of VP of Addiction Medicine and the promotion of Tanya Lewis, MD, to VP of Psychiatry.
The development of this medical leadership team further solidifies our commitment to delivering a comprehensive range of integrated primary and behavioral health services. We see that the state is experiencing the challenge of psychiatrist shortages while at the same time, the need for mental health services is increasing dramatically as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Prior to, and throughout the pandemic, our Executive Management Team has worked proactively to establish a deep bench of leading clinical experts to ensure we are well-equipped with qualified and capable professionals to meet the rising demand for treatment spurred by the coronavirus.
Congratulations to the Medical Leadership Team! We look forward to your ongoing contributions to CarePlus and the community.
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CarePlus, Inserra team up to provide stressed frontline workers
with counseling - right in supermarket where they work
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Virtual Fall Speaker Series
Our Trainers Are Happy to Be Back...
Training Registration Opens Soon!
Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Through a Trauma Informed Lens
Friday, September 25, 2020| 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Presenter: Jennifer Velten, LPC & Lisa Montuore, LCSW
In Honor of Suicide Prevention Month,
This Training is Offered Free of Charge!
No Continuing Education Credits
Friday, October 23, 2020 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Presenters: Daniel Finch, MD &
Katherine Coleman, LPC, LCADC
$75 per person
2 Clinical & 2 Ethics CEH's
4 NBCC Clock Hours for Counselors
4 CEU credits for Alcohol and Drug Counselors
4 CNE credits for Nursing Professionals
Friday, November 20, 2020 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Presenters: Sue Heguy, LCSW
$40 per person
2 Clinical CEH's & NBCC Clock Hours
Understanding Vicarious and Complex Trauma
Friday, December 18, 2020 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Presenters: Abby Maitland, LCSW
$40 per person
2 Clinical CEH's & NBCC Clock Hours
CEHs and registration information:
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How to Participate in the Golf Tournament
- Register on GiveSmart - a $100 donation makes you eligible to win up to $350!
- Submit your scores to the Foundation by 9/14!
- $350 First Place Net Score
- $350 First Place Gross Score
- $250 Second Place Net Score
- $250 Second Place Gross Score
- Not Much of a Golfer? Enter Our Photo & Referral Contest!
- $250 Best Golf Photo - send us a fun photo of yourself of a group
- $250 Best Recruiter - send us a list of participants your referred!
Register by September 4 for Your Chance to Win!
Sponsorship, 50/50's & Silent Auction
- Sponsor our Virtual Outing to support the essential services of CarePlus NJ!
- 50/50 Tickets are available for purchase via GiveSmart, you got to be in it to win it!
- Get ready to start your bidding, the Silent Auction will go live on August 31!
Winners Announced Monday, September 14!
For more information, please contact the Foundation Office
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CarePlus Workforce Solutions
Changing Lives, One Job at a Time:
or call us at 888-362-8700.
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CarePlus Leaders & Programs in the News
As a provider of integrated behavioral healthcare, we value our team of professionals that makes it all happen. Below are links to recent media stories featuring CarePlus experts on a variety of important topics in mental health and addiction treatment:
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Connect with CarePlus on Social Media!
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Enhance Your Wellness with myStrength Online!
CarePlus is excited to announce that our community and supporters have access to the tools and resources available via our partnership with myStrength, Inc.
myStrength offers a range of personalized web and mobile resources to improve mental health and overall well-being. Each user's myStrength experience is unique, based on the individual's wellness assessment and personal profile. The program includes: eLearning to help overcome stress, depression, anxiety, chronic pain and substance use disorders; simple tools and exercises as well as trackers and daily inspirational quotes and videos -- in an online environment that's safe and secure.
myStrength uses proven, evidence-based materials grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology and other empirically validated therapeutic approaches. myStrength is designed to be used independently or in conjunction with other care.
Moving into the summer months, we are looking to further engage and benefit our whole CarePlus community with the resources available through myStrength. Create your personal account now: Click Here and use access code: CarePlusHealthyMinds
**CarePlus staff and those receiving service have separate access codes, contact Caitlyn if you have any questions about getting started!
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